NJSIAA Assistant Director Don Danser Passes Away

ROBBINSVILLE, NJ (June 16, 2015) — Don Danser, New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association (NJSIAA) assistant director, passed away on Monday at the age of 69.

An association staff member since 1997, Danser was named an assistant director in 2001, with oversight of both winter and spring track-and-field, cross-country, classifications for all sports, co-op programs, tournament programs and many other major publications/records.

Before joining the NJSIAA, he served as the director of the New Jersey track-and-field championships, as well as director of the cross-country championships. A long-time educator at Rancocas Valley High School – the school from which he graduated in 1963 — he served as their head track coach for 10 seasons, compiling an 81-39 record with a pair of league championships and one county championship.

“Of course, all of us at the NJSIAA are terribly saddened by Don’s passing,” said Steve Timko, the association’s executive director. “He’s been our friend and colleague for many years now, and his dedication to both the student-athletes of those sports he directed as well as to the association was a true inspiration.  Don will be sorely missed by us all.”

Born in Mount Holly, Danser held a bachelor’s degree from Montclair State University, and a master’s degree from Trinity College in Hartford.

The memorial for Danser will be held at Perinchief Chapels, at 438 High Street in Mount Holly, on Saturday, June 20. Visitation hours will be from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m., with a funeral service from 11 a.m. to noon. Interment will be at the Baptist Cemetery, Mount Holly.

In lieu of flowers, family members have requested that donations be made to fund an annual scholarship in Danser’s memory, to be presented to a cross-country or track-and-field student-athlete during the NJSIAA’s Annual Scholar Athlete Luncheon. Checks can be made payable to the NJSIAA (attn: Colleen Maguire, director of finance, P.O. Box 487, Robbinsville, NJ  08691).

About the NJSIAA

Established in 1918, the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association (NJSIAA) is a voluntary, non-profit organization comprised of 433 accredited public, private, and parochial high schools. A member of the National Federation of State High School Associations, the NJSIAA conducts tournaments and crowns champions in 32 sports. Championship competition for girls is sponsored in basketball, bowling, cross country, fencing, field hockey, golf, gymnastics, lacrosse, soccer, softball, swimming, tennis, outdoor track, winter track, and volleyball. Boys’ championships are determined in baseball, basketball, bowling, cross country, fencing, football, golf, ice hockey, lacrosse, soccer, swimming, tennis, outdoor track, winter track, volleyball, and wrestling.